Zoo

We escaped the snow and made it down to Flordia for awhile. Today we stopped at a zoo in Tampa before heading to Sanibel on Saturday. 

There is no substitute for seeing animals in the wild, but the kids are a bit too young to really appreciate a true safari right now (let alone survive a long flight or two). 

So we got up close and personal with these animals instead. 

Molly was happy to feed the giraffes but Wes wasn't as excited about it. 

We also took a "Safari" ride around part of the zoo. Someone can't help making faces. 

After lunch Molly was all about strategizing our plan of attack. She was a woman on a mission. 

Part of the plan was to see the lorikeets. 

They're extremely beautiful birds. 

That are also quite friendly. 

And not camera shy at all. 

Our hotel is only about 10 mins away from the zoo. Thankfully it took the kids only about 3 mins to fall asleep. 

Flying lessons

The pilots were kind enough to let the kids visit. 

Flordia bound

Headed to warmer weather!

Flurries

Broth

Wes is under the weather so I warmed up some homemade veggie broth for him. He seems to like it. 

Pulling his weight

Despite the deep snow, Wes was adamant about pulling his own sled up the hill. Fine by me!

One run is made. Not sure if we'll add any more. 

Sleds

It was another successful sledding adventure today. 

Fire drill

There was some excitement at Molly's dance class today. Apparently some construction workers put a nail through the wire for the fire alarm system. That was the bad news. The good news is that everyone got out quickly and in an orderly fashion. And the kids got to see some firefighters!

Growing up

Wes graduated to a big boy bed today. 

Tired

The day after Christmas is tiring. 

The hunter

Today the kids got to see what Grandpa Pete used to do in a previous life. 

To do that we took a trip to the former Naval Air Station Brunswick to see the P-3 Orion. 

The kids were really excited and wanted to know all about the plane. 

Grandpa Pete explains the badges. 

Prop blades are big!

The panorama function of the iPhone takes some pretty cool pics. 

And what better way to end a field trip than with some cupcakes!

Handsome

I can only hope I look this good when I'm over 72 years old. 

Puffy

I love the post French braids look. 

Welcoming party

When we got home today we had a welcoming party. 

This little guy was just hanging out on our front steps.

And railing. 

Our bird feeders are about 5 feet away and chipmunks scurry around constantly. He was probably just looking for a little snack. 

Then he decided it was time to go. 

Finally

I knew we had kids for a reason. 

Today was the first real snow if the season. After losing power at some point last night we are thankful to have it back again. 

Oh, and we're thankful for these two of course. 

Old school tech

Wes tried out some old school technology yesterday and actually talked on the phone. Great grandma Janet was the lucky recipient of his brush with the past. 

Earning his keep

Welcoming

Momma and Grammie got back from NYC on Sunday. 

3!

It seems like only yesterday that this photo was taken, but apparently three years have already gone by. 

It has been amazing to watch Wes grow into and energetic and amazing little boy. 

For his birthday last week we kept it relatively low key and had lunch with two of Wes' favorite people. 

As usual, he got a bunch of cool presents. One of which was a bunch of Bruins gear.

Wes was so thrilled about this that he insisted on wearing it to bed and then the next day as well. 

Wes has also graduated to the big kid sleds. 

So just to be fair we got Molly one too. 

Another highlight was the addition of about a billion small pieces of plastic to the house. 

I am referring to his new Playmobil pirate ship. I'm not sure who had more fun with it though, the kids or adults. 

Keying in on the pirate theme, Uncle Nate and Aunt Ellete got Wes the solider's fort. So now Wes has something to plunder!

Here's to the epic battles to come.